Australia And South Africa Get Wins

Australia have beaten England 30-28 in Perth, whist playing the last 46 minutes of the match with 14 men. Lock Darcy Swain was sent off after head-butting Jonny Hill for retaliating for having his hair pulled. Australia had gone to the break at 6-6 after loosing fullback Tom Banks with a broken arm and prop Alan Alaalatoa to a head injury. Australia was behind 14-9 after 60 minutes, but two tries in seven minutes to Jordan Petaia and Folau Fainga’a put them ahead, and when Pete Samu added a third in the 77th minute the game was over at 30-14. England then ran in late tries to Henry Arundell and Jack van Poortvliet in injury time. 

Australia: 30

Tries: Jordan Petaia, Folau Fainga'a, Pete Samu, Conversions: Noah Lolesio 3, Penalties: Lolesio 3

England: 28

Tries: Ellis Genge, Henry Arundell, Jack van Poortlviet, Conversions: Owen Farrell 2, Penalties: Farrell 3

South Africa have kicked a penalty goal in injury time to win 32-29 against Wales at Loftus Versfeld. It was a controversial ending to the match in which captain Dan Biggar was penalised for an intentional knock-on, and Wales had four players yellow carded. At one stage late in the match Wales were down to 12 players and had a 75th minute penalty try awarded against them, only for replacement hooker Dewi Lake to hit back with a try for Wales to tie the match. 

South Africa: 32

Tries: Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Penalty Try,  Conversions: Willemse 2 Penalties: Jantjies, Willemse

Wales: 29

Tries: Rees-Zammit 2, Dewi Lake, Conversion: Dan Biggar, Penalties: Biggar 3, Drop-Goal: Biggar

All Blacks Win First Bledisloe Match

The All Blacks have won the first Bledisloe Cup match against Australia 33-25 at Auckland's Eden Park. Both sides scored four tries each, but kicking was the difference, with Australian first five Noah Lolesio missing five shots at goal, and managing only one penalty and conversion. The All Blacks held a 16-8 halftime lead, and extended it to 33-8 midway through the second half before an Australian fightback saw them score three tries in the final twelve minutes.

New Zealand All Blacks: 33 

Tries: Sevu Reece, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili, Damian McKenzie, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 2, Penalties: Mo'unga 3 

Australia: 25 

Tries: Andrew Kellaway, Tom Banks 2, Jordan Uelese, Conversion: Noah Lolesio, Penalty: Lolesio

Round Three Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Team Lists

Due to the 7 day Covid-19 lockdown that Melbourne has gone into this week, the match between the Highlanders and Rebels scheduled to be played in Queenstown has been transferred to Leichardt Oval in Sydney on Sunday.

Hurricanes v Force,  Friday 28 May, 7.05pm, McLean Park, Napier

Hurricanes:

1: Xavier Numia 2: Asafo Aumua 3: Tyrel Lomax 4: Isaia Walker-Leawere 5: Scott Scrafton 6: Reed Prinsep (c) 7: Du’Plessis Kirifi 8: Gareth Evans 9: Luke Campbell 10: Orbyn Leger 11: Salesi Rayasi 12: Ngani Laumape 13: Peter Umaga-Jensen 14: Wes Goosen 15: Jordie Barrett

Reserves: Ricky Riccitell, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, James Blackwell, Ardie Savea, Cameron Roigard, Billy Proctor, Vince Aso

 Force:

1: Tom Robertson 2: Andrew Ready 3: Santiago Medrano 4: Jeremy Thrush 5: Sitaleki Timani 6: Fergus Lee-Warner 7: Kane Koteka 8: Tim Anstee 9: Tomas Cubelli 10: Domingon Miotti 11: Jordan Olowofela 12: Kyle Godwin (c) 13: Richard Kahui 14: Toni Pulu 15: Rob Kearney

Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Jack McGregor, Tevita Kuridrani.

Waratahs v Crusaders, Saturday 29 May, 5.05pm, WIN Stadium, Sydney

Waratahs:

1: Angus Bell 2: David Porecki 3: Harry Johnson-Holmes 4: Jeremy Williams 5: Jack Whetton 6: Lachlan Swinton 7: Jack Dempsey 8: Will Harris 9: Jake Gordon (c) 10: Ben Donaldson 11: Alex Newsome 12: Lalakai Foketi 13: Izaia Perese 14: Jack Maddocks 15: Will Harrison

Reserves: 16: Joe Cotton 17: Tetera Faulkner 18: Darcy Breen 19: Sam Caird 20: Carlo Tizzano 21: Jack Grant 22: Tepai Moeroa 23: Mark Nawaqanitawase

 Crusaders:

1.  George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (vc) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Quinten Strange 5. Scott Barrett (c) 6.   Whetukamokamo Douglas 7. Sione Havili Talitui 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku 12. Dallas McLeod 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: 16. Nathan Vella* 17. Tamaiti Williams 18. Oliver Jager 19. Samuel Whitelock 20. Mitchell Dunshea 21. Bryn Hall 22. Fergus Burke 23. Manasa Mataele

Blues v Brumbies, Saturday 29 May, 7.15pm, Eden Park, Auckland 

Blues:

15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson (c), 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.

Reserves: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Mark Telea.

 Brumbies:

1. Scott Sio 2. Connal McInerney 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) 4. Darcy Swain 5. Nick Frost 6. Rob Valetini 7.Tom Cusack 8. Henry Stowers 9. Nic White 10. Noah Lolesio 11. Tom Wright 12. Irae Simone

13. Len Ikitau 14. Solomone Kata 15. Tom Banks

Reserves: 16. Folau Fainga'a 17. Harry Lloyd 18. Sefo Kautai 19. Tom Hooper 20. Luke Reimer 21. Ryan Lonergan 22. Bayley Kuenzle 23. Mack Hansen

Reds v Chiefs, Saturday 29 May, 9.45pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Reds:

1. Feao Fotuaika 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Ryan Smith 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6. Angus Scott-Young 7. Liam Wright 8. Harry Wilson 9. Tate McDermott 10. James O’Connor 11. Filipo Daugunu 12. Isaac Henry 13. Hunter Paisami 14. Suliasi Vunivalu 15. Bryce Hegarty

Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser 17. Dane Zander 18. Zane Nonggorr 19. Seru Uru 20. Fraser McReight 21. Kalani Thomas 22. Hamish Stewart 23. Ilaisa Droasese

Chiefs:

1: Aidan Ross 2: Bradley Slater 3: Angus Ta’avao 4: Mitchell Brown 5: Tupou Vaa’i 6: Pita Gus Sowakula 7: Lachlan Boshier 8: Luke Jacobson 9: Brad Weber (c) 10: Damian McKenzie 11: Chase Tiatia 12:Alex Nankivell 13:  Anton Lienert-Brown 14: Bailyn Sullivan 15: Kaleb Trask

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill, Sione Mafileo, Zane Kapeli, Liam Messam, Xavier Roe,  Quinn Tupaea, Shaun Stevenson

Highlanders v Rebels, Sunday 30 May, 5pm NZT, Leichardt Oval, Sydney

Highlanders: 

1. Ethan De Groot 2. Liam Coltman 3. Siate Tokolahi 4. Pari Pari Parkinson 5. Josh Dickson 6. Shannon Frizell 7. James Lentjes 8. Hugh Renton 9. Aaron Smith (cc) 10. Mitch Hunt 11.  Jona Nareki 12. Scott Gregory 13. Michael Collins 14. Patelesio Tomkinson 15. Josh Ioane

Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon (cc) 17. Ayden Johnstone 18. Jeff Thwaites 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 20. Kazuki Himeno 21. Kayne Hammington 22. Ngatugnane Punivai 23: Billy Harmon

 Rebels: TBC

All Blacks Win Final Match Of 2020

 The All Blacks have beaten Argentina 38-0 in Newcastle on Saturday night, reversing the loss they suffered two weeks ago. It was a committed forward pack that set the stage for the win, and forced multiple errors and missed tackles onto Argentina. Hooker Dane Coles scored the opening try out wide in the 12th minute, and Richie Mo'unga added a penalty for a first half 10-0 lead.

Midway through the second half the All Blacks led 17-0 after Ardie Savea scored off a lineout drive, but it was the addition of replacement back Will Jordan that opened the game right up. Jordan scored a try off a spilled Argentina ball, and two minutes later was in again off an intercept for a 60m dash. The final act of the game saw replacement lock Patrick Tuipulotu score in the 81st minute with Jordan again involved.

New Zealand: 38 

Tries: Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan 2, Patrick Tuipulotu, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 5, Penalty: Mo'unga

Argentina: 0 

All Blacks Named To Face Australia In Third Bledisloe.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia in the third Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney on Saturday. Hoskins Sotutu will debut at number eight in place of Ardie Savea who stayed behind in New Zealand on paternity leave, and loose forward Dalton Papalii is brought in the reserves. Other changes in the forwards see Sam Whitelock return from from concussion in place of Tupou Vaa’i, and Karl Tu'inukuafe replaces Joe Moody at loosehead prop. In the reserves, Ngani Laumape returns from a broken arm earlier in the year in place of Damian McKenzie.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

1.  Karl Tu'inukuafe, 2.  Dane Coles, 3.  Ofa Tuungafasi, 4.  Patrick Tuipulotu, 5.  Samuel Whitelock, 6.  Shannon Frizell, 7.  Sam Cane (c), 8.  Hoskins Sotutu, 9.  Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13.  Anton Lienert-Brown, 14.  Jordie Barrett, 15.  Beauden Barrett 

Reserves: 

16.  Codie Taylor, 17.  Alex Hodgman, 18.  Tyrel Lomax, 19.  Scott Barrett, 20.  Dalton Papalii, 21.  TJ Perenara, 22.  Ngani Laumape, 23.  Rieko Ioane

The Australian Wallabies side has four debutants in their side, with both first five James O'Connor, and second five Matt Toomua out with injury, replaced by Noah Lolesio, and Irae Simones, and halfback Tate McDermott and loose forward Fraser McReight in the reserves. Other changes see Allan Alaalatoa starting at tight-head prop in place of Taniela Tupou, Jordan Petaia at centre in place of Hunter Paisami, and Dane Haylett-Petty in at fullback in place of Tom Banks for his first match since the Rugby World Cup.

Australia:

1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty

Reserves:  

16. Jordan Uelese, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Rob Simmons, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Reece Hodge, 23. Hunter Paisami 

All Blacks Win Second Bledisloe In Auckland

The All Blacks have beaten Australia 27-7 in the second Bledisloe test at Auckland's Eden Park on Sunday.

After a competitive first half, the All Blacks had led 10-7 at the break after a converted try to halfback Aaron Smith and penalty to Richie Mo'unga, while Australia scored a try to winger Marika Koroibete. Debutant left-wing Caleb Clarke had several tackle breaking runs and proved a handful for Australia every time he touched the ball. The Australians made handling errors due the the defensive efforts of the All Blacks, and three further tries were added in the half, with captain Sam Cane scoring one of them. The next Bledisloe match is in Sydney Australia on 31st October, and is part of the Rugby Championship. now reduced to three teams after South Africa pulled out.

New Zealand All Blacks: 27 

Tries: Aaron Smith, Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 2, Penalty: Mo'unga

Australia: 7 

Try: Marika Koroibete, Conversion: James O'Connor 

Match Highlights Here

All Blacks Named For Second Bledisloe Against Australia

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia at Auckland's Eden Park on Sunday for the second Bledisloe test.

There are a couple of injury related replacements and reserves changes for the match day. Winger George Bridge has been ruled out of all rugby for several months after suffering a chest injury in training, and has been replaced by Caleb Clarke. Beauden Barrett returns from an ankle injury at fullback, with Damien McKenzie dropping to the reserves, and lock Sam Whitelock is out with with concussion, and has been replaced by Tupou Vaa'i. The final changes have Dane Coles starting in place of Codie Taylor at hooker, Anton Lienert-Brown replacing Rieko Ioane in the centres, Nepo Laulala and Alex Hodgman coming onto the reserves bench as replacement props, and Scott Barrett returning from a long term foot injury to the reserves.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Jordie Barrett, 15. Beauden Barrett

Reserves: 

Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.

Australian coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to his match day squad, with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and blindside flanker Ned Hanigan into the starting side, and Liam Wright and Jordan Petaia in the reserves, while Harry Wilson moves to number eight. 

Australia:

1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Nic White, 10. James O'Connor, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To'omua, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Tom Banks

Reserves: 

Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalaota, Rob Simmons, Liam Wright, Jake Gordon, Jordan Petaia, Reece Hodge

All Blacks Draw With Australia

The New Zealand All Blacks have drawn the opening Bledisloe Cup match with Australia 16-16 in Wellington on Sunday. It was 400 days since the All Blacks last played a home test match, and the match was an exciting one which went down to the final seconds.

The All Blacks had led 8-3 at half time, after a try and penalty to winger Jordie Barrett. They extended their lead early in the second half after Aaron Smith scored, but the Wallabies struck back with tries to wingers Marika Koroibete and Filipo Daugunu. With the 80 minutes up Reece Hodge attempted a long range kick which hit the posts, and for the next eight minutes of injury time neither side was able to score.

New Zealand All Blacks: 16

Tries: Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith, Penalties: Barrett 2

Australia: 16

Tries: Marika Koroibete, Filipo Daugunu, Penalties: James O’Connor 2